ROOM ASSIGNMENTS: All room assignments will be considered tentative until enrollment stabilizes We may need to reorganize during the first trimester. Reorganization follows criteria established by the district and site for balancing classroom enrollment. Though we try to honor parent room assignment requests, special consideration cannot always be given. Should reorganization occur, we hope that parents will be understanding and cooperative. Thank you.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: School MUST have, on your child’s records, the name and telephone number of an emergency contact. This is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY in the event that your child becomes ill or injured. Your child can only be released to persons designated on his/her data registration card (with proper ID). For children who share time in different households, we ask that parents please coordinate individuals to be given the appropriate authority of release.
DISASTER/EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS STUDENT KITS: California requires all schools to have in place a Disaster Preparedness Plan. The emergency student kits are part of our plan. PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED DISASTER INFORMATION SHEET.
ARRIVAL TIME: Except for children in “6 to 6” or eating breakfast at school (serving begins at 7:20), children should not arrive on campus prior to 7:20 a.m. as there is limited adult supervision. We request that parents assist us in seeing that students do not arrive too early. We expect all children to arrive on time. A tardy will be recorded for students arriving late. Upon arrival to school, students report directly to the lunch arbor area, where they will await dismissal to their classrooms. Parents, please arrange timely transportation for your child at his/her afternoon dismissal.
SAFE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE FROM THE SCHOOL GROUNDS: Safety to and from school is a major concern. We must request your full cooperation when transporting your child to and from school. Community homeowners have asked that drivers please avoid blocking their driveways. Please also see DISCIPLINE PLAN HANDBOOK.
a. Students who are to be picked up in motor vehicles are to be told by parents where to wait safely. If drivers arrive early, simply park in a “legal” spot and walk to the area where children are dismissed. Drivers CANNOT park in the bus zone area, nor should drivers enter the staff parking lot to await dismissal. Observe the use of barricades and/or driveway chain as safety measures.
b. Walkers are encouraged to cross at the patrolled crosswalk on either Triana Street or at the four-way stop at the corner of Limerick and Triana. Students are not to cross in the middle of the block.
c. Walk bikes on campus and sidewalks (grades 4-6 students have bike riding privileges at school).
BICYCLES: According to Police Department policy, only children in Grades 4, 5, and 6 may ride bicycles to school. All bicycles are to be licensed and locked while on campus. Bikes are to be walked on school grounds. We ask that parents observe this rule as well. Children who do not keep their bicycles locked or who cannot abide by school bicycle safety rules will forfeit bicycle privileges. No scooters, skateboards, or rollerblades are allowed at school. Although Sequoia School has an area for students to park bicycles, the San Diego Unified School District is not responsible and assumes no liability for theft, damage, or loss of use, to any bicycle, equipment, or article left on same. All such liability is assumed by the student. Students should secure their bicycles in an appropriate manner by using a quality lock or chain. Students must wear safety helmets.
MONEY FOR BREAKFAST / LUNCH: The cafeteria hot lunch, including milk, will be available ($1.75, or reduced/free). Lunch accounts may be updated in the office before school on Monday mornings. Milk is 50 cents per carton. Please send checks payable to Sequoia School, or correct change in a sealed envelope marked “lunch money”, with child’s first and last name, pin number, and room number. Through the internet and use of credit cards, parents can pay into their child’s cafeteria account online. All school lunches include milk UNLESS a written note from the PHYSICIAN is on file to request juice. Lunch loans are not available. Pupils are expected to remain on the school grounds during school hours and at noon, except when they go, by permission, to their own home for lunch. Parent permission in written form is required for children to leave the school grounds for lunch. Notes should be brought to the office to be kept on file. For children who will be going home on a regular basis, one note is sufficient. Every child is provided with an application for reduced/free lunch program. Please complete the form and return it to the school. Every child will receive a four digit lunch pin number.
IDENTIFICATION PLEASE! Please, clearly mark all clothing (jackets, sweaters, etc.), lunch pails, lunch bags, etc., with your child’s first AND last name. A lost-clothing rack is behind the auditorium. Periodically, unclaimed clothing is donated to local charities.
ABSENCES AND ATTENDANCE: Regular, consistent student attendance plays a vital role in success at school. We appreciate your cooperation by scheduling physician and dental appointments AFTER school, when possible, and by planning your vacations during the school intersessions. It is a STATE LAW that each pupil’s absence be verified (one of the responsibilities of the attendance clerk). If your child is ill, or must be absent, please telephone the office at 858-496-8240 between 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. on the first day he/she is absent giving the specific reason for the absence. If your child will be absent due to a reason other than illness, please let the office and teachers know in advance.
Contracts of Independent Study are available if it is ABSOLUTELY necessary for your child to be absent 5 days or more for any reason other than illness. Please let the office know in advance. When your child completes the homework assignment, he/she will receive an excused absence rather than an unexcused absence. An excused absence allows the school to receive the daily funding allotment from the state. Parent requests for children to leave school during the school day MUST BE IN WRITING OR IN PERSON. Policy change: Tardies will be recorded for children who leave school early as well as those who arrive to school late. All tardies will impact Perfect Attendance Awards.
ILLNESS INSTRUCTIONS: PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME IF HE/SHE IS ILL. There are no facilities at school to adequately take care of ill children (except on a temporary basis) until a parent or guardian can take the child home. After sickness, wait until his/her temperature has been normal for 24 hours before allowing the child to return to school. Instruct your child to tell the teacher if he/she does not feel well. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WHEN THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS ARE PRESENT:
Headache Cold symptoms
Vomiting in a 24-hour period Sties or conjunctivitis
Stomach ache Untreated skin sores
Ear ache Pediculosis (lice)
Sore throat Toothache
Children do not always have a fever when they are ill. If your child has a specific health condition, or is taking long-term medication, please notify the nurse/office and his/her teacher. We need to keep all records up-to-date in order to serve your child appropriately.
MEDICINE: School personnel are authorized to administer medication only when there is a physician’s recommendation for that medication on file in the school office. Please do not send cough drops, syrup, aspirin, etc. with your child to medicate his/herself at school. Use of asthma inhalers needs written verification. Appropriate medical prescriptions must be checked in at the office.
VISITORS IN CLASSROOMS: Parents are always welcome to visit the school and classrooms. Arrangements should be made in advance. Those desiring individual teacher conferences are requested to make appointments before or after school, in advance, to assure that the teacher will be there and not attending a meeting. Conferences are usually not scheduled during instructional time. All visitors are required to report to the office to sign in and receive a visitor’s badge. Out-of-town school-age friends or cousins cannot spend the day at school.
TELEPHONE MESSAGES: Student telephone calls should be limited to use n an emergency basis. Please plan ahead, at home, regarding such things as lunch arrangements, after-school transportation, rainy weather plans, etc.
DISCIPLINE CODE: The Sequoia School Discipline Policy Plan will be discussed with all students at school and then sent home. It is important that students, parents, and staff be familiar with the policy in order that we maintain appropriate discipline and standards. Throughout the year, teachers will continue to highlight the guidelines with students. We urge you to please discuss the plan with your child/children. The school discipline rules will be sent home the first week. Parent and student signatures will be requested.
SCHOOL RECORDS: The school maintains records considered necessary to the educational program for each child. These records (considered confidential material) may be reviewed by parents with the school principal. An appointment to review records may be made by calling the office.
CELL PHONES, IPODS, and GAMEBOYS: Students’ cell phones, at parents’ discretion and responsibility, are permitted on campus and should be used on an emergency basis only. No use is permitted during instruction. Aside from cell phones, electronic devices and games are not allowed on campus. The risk of loss and damage of electronic property is considerable.
NO PETS AT SCHOOL.
WE ARE A TOBACCO/SMOKE-FREE SCHOOL SITE.
STUDENT DRESS CODE: Parents assume responsibility as to appropriateness of clothing.
Shoes that cover the entire foot should be worn. No thongs, open-toed, roller-skate, or platform shoes should be worn.
Spaghetti straps, halters, short shorts, and tight clothing should not be worn. Long dresses are discouraged. No pajama bottoms.
Girls may wear shorts under dresses when their class is involved in physical education activities.
Long dangling or hoop earrings are not permitted.
Facial make-up is not allowed.
T-shirts which have inappropriate language or which advertise alcohol or tobacco are not permitted.
Gang-related clothing (scarves, bandannas, gloves, football jackets, etc.) is not permitted. Suspender straps must be secure when wearing overalls. Clothing must be worn appropriately.
Baseball caps are permitted for outside use only, and not to be worn backwards.
No baggy pants – no more than 2 inches oversized. Pants must be hemmed and worn with a belt.
Suitable clothing is expected, please.
HOMEWORK: The Board of Education policy requires that homework be assigned to all students on a regular basis. The amount of time usually required to complete assignments should increase as a child moves from primary to upper grades. Parents are encouraged to take an interest in the homework activities of their children and provide conditions which are conducive to good study habits. Your child’s teacher will be sending you information about specific homework procedures in his/her classroom. Teachers determine the usual length of homework assignments. The status of homework will be reflected by a grade on the report card. Should your child seem to struggle with homework, please let his/her teacher know.
LOST OR DAMAGED TEXTBOOKS: Help preserve textbooks! The replacement of lost or damaged textbooks due to students’ willful misconduct will be the responsibility of students and parents in accordance with district procedures.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICIES: The following numbers are provided if information is desired regarding all civil rights legislation:
Affirmative Action Officer: Assistant to the Superintendent, Personnel Services Division, 4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103. Phone: 619-293-8185
504 Coordinator: Assistant to the Superintendent, Personnel Services Division, 4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103. Phone: 619-293-8185
PROMOTION / RETENTION POLICY: Parents of students in grades 2-6 who are in need of special attention and support will be notified during the first nine weeks of school. Parents of grades K-1 students will be notified by December. Parents will conference with the teachers and assist in the development of intervention plans.
OFF - CAMPUS INTEGRATED LEARNING EXPERIENCES (OCILE) PROGRAM:
4th Grade – Old Town November 10 – 14 excluding Nov. 11 Holiday
5th Grade – Balboa Park November 10 – 14 excluding Nov. 11 Holiday
6th Grade – Palomar Mtn February 2 – 5
Wednesdays are modified days with dismissal at 11:30 AM for all students.
Thanksgiving – November 24 – 28: No school.
Last Day of School is Tuesday, July 21, 2009.
6 to 6 Childcare provider is Harmonium – 858-684-3080.
Thank you for taking the time to read and review this information about the opening of school. If you have any questions, please call the Sequoia office at 858-496-8240.